Local authorities across Ireland have secured total investment of €2.7 million to roll out a variety of biodiversity projects.

Pledged under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF), this investment will enable councils to deliver 188 biodiversity projects across the nation. These include invasive alien species control, dune restoration, wetland surveys and biodiversity awareness and training.

Operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the scheme was first launched in 2018. Since then, a total of just over €6m has been granted to local authorities through the LBAF for projects that support actions in the third National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP). This year's grants will build on that investment.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD said: "Given that it's Biodiversity Week, I'm especially delighted to announce funding of over €2.5 million for 188 biodiversity projects. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund is an enormously impactful scheme that supports local authorities and communities to deliver on Ireland's national objectives for nature, from invasive species to habitat restoration to awareness-raising to surveys and monitoring work. As more and more Biodiversity Officers join the ranks of our local authorities, I know that the benefits for nature and people that this Fund provides are only going to grow."

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A grant scheme providing support to Ireland's natural history recording community is now in operation for a fifth year, with growing popularity and record numbers of applicants. The Small Recording Grant scheme, managed by the NPWS, aims to help established naturalists recording in Ireland to maintain and enhance their expertise in species identification, and to develop the next generation of natural history recorders.

The Small Recording Grants scheme supports volunteers, groups, societies and associations of recorders who have limited or no access to financial supports for their work. A total of 67 applicants have been notified of their funding allocations, at a combined total of €193k.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD added: "It is fantastic to be able to fund these local initiatives once again. In 2022, my Department funded 24 projects to the tune of €70,000. This year, we have significantly increased resources for this very worthwhile scheme, with 67 projects approved at a cost of €193,000 – almost three times the projects and three times the funding. 

"This scheme supports the work of the NPWS in recording many aspects of individual species that it would be almost impossible for my staff to carry out themselves."